Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 58

Shadows of Truth

The car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital's emergency entrance, the tires leaving faint marks on the asphalt. Hoshi threw the gear into park, his hands trembling as he shoved open the driver's door and bolted to the back. Woozi was still in the backseat, his head bowed, his shoulders shaking violently as he clutched Jeonghan's limp hand. Tears streamed down Woozi's face, soaking into Jeonghan's pale skin.

"Jihoon," Hoshi called sharply, his voice tight with urgency. Woozi didn't respond, his sobs growing louder, his fingers gripping Jeonghan's hand as though letting go would mean losing him.

"Jihoon!" Hoshi barked, his tone harsher than he intended, but it worked. Woozi's head snapped up, his tear-filled eyes meeting Hoshi's.

"I'll take him from here," Hoshi said, his voice softening just slightly. He leaned into the car and gently pried Jeonghan from Woozi's trembling grasp. "We need to move fast."

Woozi nodded numbly, sliding back into the seat as if his strength had left him entirely. His hands fell to his lap, shaking uncontrollably, and his sobs quieted into broken hiccups. Hoshi couldn't focus on him now—Jeonghan needed him more.

With Jeonghan's limp body cradled against his chest, Hoshi turned and ran through the hospital's automatic doors, his breaths coming in short, frantic bursts. "Emergency!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the sterile, brightly lit lobby.

Nurses and a doctor rushed toward him, their faces masks of professionalism and urgency. "What happened?" one of them asked, taking in Jeonghan's pallor and the blood-soaked handkerchief around his wrist.

"Attempted suicide," Hoshi managed, his voice cracking. "He's got cuts on both wrists, and he was in the bathtub—he's barely breathing."

"Put him here," the doctor instructed, gesturing to a gurney being wheeled toward them. Hoshi carefully laid Jeonghan down, his hands lingering for a moment as if reluctant to let go.

The medical team moved quickly, adjusting Jeonghan's position, checking his pulse, and securing oxygen. Hoshi stepped back, his hands hovering in mid-air as if still holding Jeonghan. His breath hitched as he saw them wheeling him toward the examination room.

"Hoshi!"

He turned to see Woozi stumbling into the hospital, his face blotchy from crying, his steps unsteady. His legs nearly gave out beneath him, but he caught himself on a chair, gripping it tightly. His lips trembled as he stammered, "Is he... are they going to save him?"

"They're doing everything they can," Hoshi said, his own voice wavering. "But he's in critical condition."

A nurse approached Hoshi with a clipboard, her expression calm but firm. "We need someone to fill out the admission paperwork. Are you a relative?"

Hoshi's stomach clenched. "I'm not," he said quickly, his voice sharp with frustration. "But I'm responsible for him. Can't this wait?"

"I'm sorry," the nurse replied. "We need this information to proceed with treatment."

Hoshi exhaled harshly, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "Fine. What do you need?"

She handed him the clipboard, and he took it with shaking hands, his eyes darting between the form and the hallway where Jeonghan had disappeared.

As Hoshi struggled with the paperwork, Woozi slumped into one of the waiting room chairs, his arms wrapping around himself as he rocked back and forth. Tears still streaked his face, and his breathing was erratic, a mix of hiccups and gasps. His fingers dug into his sleeves as he whispered to himself, "He's going to be okay. He has to be okay."